How to Become a Successful Tech Freelancer in Africa, Especially in Cameroon

The rise of technology has opened up numerous opportunities for individuals to pursue careers as tech freelancers. Africa, with its burgeoning tech scene, presents exciting prospects for freelancers in the industry. Specifically, in Cameroon, a country with a growing tech ecosystem, there are ample opportunities for aspiring tech freelancers. In this article, we will explore the steps and strategies to become a successful tech freelancer in Africa, with a focus on Cameroon.

This article was inspired from watching seniors like;

• Arrey B
• Clever programmer
• Cedric Fotso
• MBOM LIKENG Hervé Roland

They all inspired me to create Okenly Solutions, and thanks to their daily advice, I earn around $400 to $3000 a month as a Freelancer.

I hope this article will inspire you and give you a roadmap into freelancing !

1.      What’s a tech freelancer?

A tech freelancer, also known as a freelance tech professional or independent contractor, is someone who offers their technical skills and services on a project basis to clients or companies. Instead of being a full-time employee, a tech freelancer typically works on a contract or gig basis, providing services such as web development, software programming, graphic design, data analysis, cyber security, IT support, or any other technical expertise.

Freelancers have the flexibility to choose their own clients and projects, set their own rates, and work remotely or from their own location. They often work with multiple clients simultaneously and may be hired for short-term or long-term projects based on their skills and availability.

 It’s a popular option for individuals who prefer the freedom and flexibility of working independently within the tech industry.

But what do they do? Yes, they are tech freelancers, but what tasks or skills do they have?  Let’s dive into this!

2.      What do tech freelancers do on a daily bases?

As a tech freelancer, your daily activities can vary depending on the specific projects you’re working on. However, there are some common tasks that tech freelancers typically engage in:

1. Client Communication: Interacting with clients to understand their requirements, discuss project details, and provide updates on progress.
2. Project Management: Planning, organizing, and coordinating tasks and deadlines to ensure projects are completed on time.
3. Software Development: Writing code, developing software applications, or building websites based on client specifications.
4. Troubleshooting and Bug-Fixing: Identifying and resolving issues or bugs in software or websites.
5. Testing and Quality Assurance: Performing tests and checks to ensure the functionality, performance, and security of the deliverables.
6. Research and Learning: Keeping up with the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies to enhance your skills and stay competitive.
7. Marketing and Networking: Promoting yourself and your services through online platforms, attending tech events, and networking with potential clients.
8. Administrative Tasks: Managing finances, contracts, and invoices related to your freelance work.

Remember, each tech freelancer’s daily routine can be unique, depending on their specialization and the type of projects they undertake.

7 key points you need to become a successful tech freelancer in Africa, especially in Cameroon.

1.      Develop a Strong Skill Set:

To succeed as a tech freelancer, it is crucial to have a strong skill set that aligns with market demands. Identify the most in-demand tech skills, such as web development, mobile app development, data analytics, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence, and focus on building expertise in these areas. Invest time in continuous learning and stay updated with the latest industry trends.

2.      Build a Portfolio:

Creating an impressive portfolio is essential for showcasing your work and attracting potential clients. Start by working on personal or passion projects to demonstrate your skills. As a tech freelancer, you can contribute to open-source projects or collaborate with local businesses to gain experience and build your portfolio. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and showcases your best projects.

Tip : Having a 3 to 7 projects you have worked on, and available on your personal website, github or behance profile will be a win factor for your freelancing journey.

3.      Establish an Online Presence:

In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is crucial for attracting clients. Build a professional website to showcase your portfolio, skills, and experience. Create profiles on popular professional networking platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub, where you can connect with potential employers or collaborators. Actively engage in tech communities and forums to demonstrate your expertise and expand your network.

4.      Network and Collaborate:

Networking plays a vital role in finding opportunities and establishing a reputation as a tech freelancer. Attend industry conferences, tech meetups, and events to connect with like-minded professionals, potential clients, and mentors. Engage in online communities and participate in relevant discussions. Collaborating with other freelancers or agencies can also lead to valuable referrals and shared project opportunities.

Networking is the Key to Success for Freelancers. Networking is an essential aspect of the freelancing world. It is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships with other individuals and businesses, and it is crucial for freelancers to understand its importance.

One of the primary benefits of networking is that it allows freelancers to expand their client base. By building relationships with other businesses and individuals, freelancers can gain access to new opportunities and projects that they may not have otherwise been aware of. Additionally, networking can help freelancers to build a reputation and establish themselves as experts in their field.

Another benefit of networking is that it can provide freelancers with valuable resources and support. By connecting with other professionals, freelancers can gain access to information and advice that can help them to navigate the challenges of the freelancing world. They can also benefit from the support of other freelancers, who may be able to offer guidance and mentorship.

Networking can also provide freelancers with opportunities for collaboration and partnership. By working together with other professionals, freelancers can take on larger and more complex projects, which can be beneficial for their business. Additionally, networking can help freelancers to form joint ventures and partnerships, which can be beneficial for both parties involved.

Despite the many benefits of networking, many freelancers struggle to get started. One of the most effective ways to network is to attend industry events and conferences, which can provide freelancers with the opportunity to connect with other professionals and learn about new trends and developments in their field. Freelancers can also network online, through social media and professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn.

Ultimately, networking is a vital aspect of the freelancing world. By building and maintaining professional relationships, freelancers can gain access to new opportunities, resources, and support, which can help them to grow and succeed in their business. Conclusion: Networking is The Key to Success for Freelancers

5.      Enhance Business and Marketing Skills:

Being a successful tech freelancer requires more than just technical expertise. Acquire business and marketing skills to effectively promote your services and manage client relationships. Learn about pricing strategies, contract negotiation, time management, and effective communication. Develop a professional brand identity that highlights your unique value proposition and sets you apart from the competition.

Tips to improve your marketing skills

• Building confidence – this will enable you to enhance your public speaking and leadership skills. Confidence is essential when it comes to presenting marketing plans or pitching ideas to the audience. You should be comfortable speaking in front of a large audience, handling on-the-spot questions and managing presentation software (PowerPoint or Prezi).
  
• Managing time – to focus on your goals clearly, you should learn how to optimise your time. This can be achieved by segregating your tasks under two categories: important and urgent. Placing every activity under these categories will assist you in creating an ideal schedule for the day. Time management will further help you to meet your deadlines.
  
• Listening – you should develop your listening skills to communicate with your clients in a better way. As a marketer, you need to understand the preferences and needs of your clients. Therefore, having a proper listening strategy will not only help you frame relevant and direct questions but also allow you to respond in a creative and planned manner.
  
• Relationship building – establishing a personal connection with clients will give them an idea that you genuinely care about their well-being and progress. To be in contact with your customers, you need to make certain gestures throughout your professional relationship period. This includes sending thank you notes, holiday greetings and informational emails regarding industrial proceedings. Furthermore, you can build personal networking by being active on social media and joining social clubs.

To advance your marketing knowledge, you need to be aware of the marketing tools being used by the highly-effective professionals who are working in your field.

The MA in Strategic Marketing course offered by the Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) will help you to develop basic marketing skills and more complex ones. You can apply to the postgraduate course here, to learn how to keep up-to-date with new developments and trends in the marketing field.

Tip : For advice on personal branding and brading as a whole, visit Lotin Corp and The Social Media Area. it’s a place we go regularyly to improve our brand strategy.

6.      Provide Exceptional Service:

As a tech freelancer, your reputation is everything. Provide exceptional service by delivering high-quality work on time and within budget. Emphasize effective communication with clients, understand their requirements, and surpass their expectations. Prioritize professionalism, reliability, and responsiveness to build long-term relationships with satisfied clients.

7.      Embrace Continuous Learning:

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and successful tech freelancers stay ahead by embracing continuous learning. Stay updated with the latest technologies, tools, and programming languages. Seek out online courses, webinars, and certifications to expand your skill set.

As individuals are recognizing the benefit of earning from home, we can observe massive traffic at freelancing sites. This may have a positive impact overall, but we cannot disregard the factor that this has produced in a vigorous struggle. Therefore, as a freelancer, it is essential to be a professional and be the finest in the skill that you present.Here are some websites to learn online and get started earning from home by freelance skills.

If you are a freelancer who just started the drive, it is more important for you to justify yourself amongst a surfeit of professionals. Enhancing your skills continuously is one way to accomplish so.

The great news is that for doing so, you do not need to stride out of home for here we suggest you some programs offering every skill that you prefer to learn and can ultimately lead you to earn from home.

There are some websites to learn different skills by which you can start earning from home.

Websites To Learn

1. Dastudy:

Dastudy is a platform for knowledge sharing between learners and professionals in the major fields. it is the ideal platform to research, deepen & develop skills. Save time in your research thanks to our documents, software, virtual assistant and acquire at your own pace new skills useful for a multi-potentiality or a professional reconversion.

 it is a fairly simple platform to use. You can access it via the following unique address: https://dastudy.net/. The intuitive and responsive nature of our website makes it easy to use. Once on the site, start exploring it by browsing the different Menus.

In the Document menu, select a category according to a field you are passionate about, choose a book that you can then read online, download, rate and give your opinion about, share, etc… The Software menu also offers various features.

You will be able to get the details of the software version, download it, rate it and give your opinion about it, invite friends to use it too… Don’t forget to take advantage of our Discussion menu, which allows you to ask any question related to your experience on the site or on any other topic you are passionate about, and get instant answers provided by our virtual assistant.

Dastudy is the ideal platform for research and skill development. They provide you with quality and diverse content, which is constantly growing: +15000 PDF Books & Documents and +2000 Software, covering +500 educational fields. Our rather rare and diversified content comes essentially from two sources:

1. Either, they are provided directly by the Authors/Owners
2. Or, they are free rights.

2. Digiskills:

As the name represents, this site is a free-of-cost program to encourage you to gain the most in-demand skills in the freelance business.

The following courses are available:

• Freelancing
• Quickbooks
• Digital Marketing.
• Creative Writing.
• SEO
• WordPress
• AutoCAD
• Graphic Design.
• E-commerce
• Digital Literacy.

It is Pakistan’s original and truly a great initiative, brought in by the collaborated efforts of Virtual University and the Ministry of IT of Pakistan. It has promptly and successfully built credibility for its courses. This course is essentially wholly in Urdu and specifically planned for Pakistani youth.

Many people vouch for their uniqueness and practicality. According to genuine reviews, about 85,000 people have acquired jobs from home by just following their course, step-by-step. The best part is if you are a beginner, you do not have to worry since every course teaches you from scratch.

You can enroll in only two courses at a time, which we felt is a remarkable idea since scientifically, you should concentrate on less material at one time. We recommend you to start from freelancing course and then move to others.

They even award a certificate on completion of their course, unlike most of the international programs which demand a fee for it.

3. edX:

It is a US-based MOOC(Massive Open Online Courses) website that has over 2500+ courses in every discipline and field, teachers from 140 top universities of the world and a massively big learning community which is a bonus since it helps you stay in touch and examine your progress.

As a freelancer, you can use this platform to learn the following courses:

• Data science.
• Coding
• Graphic designing.
• Academic writing.
• Copywriting
• Video Editing.

The extra privilege is that you get to learn from the most trusted universities around the world, which adds a solid point to your CV and eventually your freelance profile.

The downside of this site is some courses are not for beginners and for some you have to pay a huge amount depending on the quality of the course, the university offering it, and the professors teaching it. Despite this, it is beneficial and recommended since once you complete the course, a top-tier university will verify your knowledge via an originally stamped certificate, adding stars to your CV.

4. Coursera:

This MOOC site went ahead with all the facilities it provides, offering skills, degrees and specialization courses. If we particularly consider the freelance market, they offer the following courses for it:

• Digital Marketing.
• Writing
• Academic writing.
• Coding
• Web designing.

Even though Coursera offers relatively fewer free courses than edX, it still holds significant value because:

1. It has courses, designed for all ranges, from beginners to experts.
2. The time for each course varies from 4 weeks to 4 months.
3. You can always reset the deadlines of a course, a convenience that very few MOOC sites provide.
4. You can even earn a degree from the most famous universities around the world.
5. Even if you have a primary account, they will give you assignments and graded practice questions to reinforce what you have learned.

Like edX, you will pay for the certificate, but we assure you, it is worth the money.

5. FutureLearn:

We have continuously reiterated the significance of communication, especially in English in the freelance marketplace. We understand that we are not native English speakers and so we lack the advance level of it, but to make a striking mark in this field, your client must never judge if you are not a native.

So, we present you a site from where you can learn written and oral English communication because it is never too old to learn, right?

FutureLearn is a UK-based education platform, which includes courses from Universities and non-universities partners.

Freelancers can find the following relevant courses on it:

• English communication.
• Graphic designing.
• blogging
• Digital Marketing.
• Web designing.

Compared to the above websites, it has less material to propose to freelancers. But you can give it a go since they have designed courses that are practical and applicable.

6. MIT OpenCourseWare:

It is an initiative by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which administers courses in different fields of study. You can develop your following skills by using this platform:

• Coding
• Digital Learning.
• English communication.
• Marketing
• Online content creation.

The gratuity of this site is that lectures are available in the form of video and audio both, so you can even study your skill while doing chores, driving, etc. This site rarely offers any certification for its courses, but this should not be a basis to stop you from learning since your work will automatically vouch for the quality of their courses.

7. Skillshare:

As the name suggests, this site is a comprehensive compilation of any skill you want to learn, be it as small as gardening to website development. It offers many courses to freelancers of all types, which includes:

• Graphic designing.
• Content writing.
• website development.
• coding
• website designing.
• Video editing.

and many more.

It is a US-based community that does not hold the equivalent credit as the above ones, probably because it only let you have a trial for free, after which you will have to pay for the course. But, it is still a great idea to proffer it a go, since you may discover some rare and oddest skills too.

8. Udemy:

It has one of the most prominent communities of students (around 59M) and teachers(57,000). The courses are available in 65 different languages, which is a plus point to anyone who cannot comprehend English.

Like Skillshare, it too has almost as many courses for freelancers. No matter if you are a novice or a master, you will find your solicited level course.

However, it may price you a certain amount for most of its courses, which is justified considering that the top-notch professors from around the world will teach you directly, while you do not even have to leave your home.

Stay curious, explore new areas of interest, and adapt to the changing landscape of the tech industry.

Conclusion:

Becoming a successful tech freelancer in Africa, particularly in Cameroon, requires a combination of technical expertise, business skills, networking, and a commitment to continuous learning.

But above all, It’s a lifestyle. Freelancing really is  a lifestyle. While it requires some upfront hard work to find your groove, once there it is as if you are “in the club”.

 And from my experience, those who have joined that club are more successful and more content than they ever would have been if they remained an employee at a company.

On a final note, as the stats show us, if you can do it, it really is the way forward. As noted, for the average freelancer the paycheck is bigger than it would be via the employee route, and the hours are also better. Logic wins in this case.

The only thing you have to ask yourself is whether or not you have the personality for it. If so, then it just might be time to join the growing ranks.erous freelance career.

By following these steps and strategies, you can position yourself for success in the dynamic and exciting world of tech freelancing. Embrace the opportunities that Africa’s growing tech scene offers, and embark on a fulfilling and prosp About Freelancing,